Is The Bell a goner? It's time to chime in

PEOPLE living in Bexhill's Old Town are being urged to come up with ideas for breathing new life into its landmark Bell Hotel.

The Church Street pub closed its doors at the end of January after rising costs forced leaseholder Ashwan Jeeawon, 32, to call time on the business and return the 17th century premises to Enterprise Inns.

Now Enterprise, as freeholder, is looking at ways to give the Bell a fresh future - and local folk are keen to play a part in influencing the outcome.

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Residents Keir and Glyn Dellar, Joy and Don Doswell and Angela and John Atherton are circulating a survey to see what the community’s views are on how best to get the windows unboarded once more.

Mr Dellar said: “We’re doing this voluntarily and hope to show that people here feel the loss of their ‘local’ and want to see it resurrected in some way.

“All responses will be passed on to Enterprise Inns, which is also liasing with the Old Town Preservation Society over the future of the Bell.”

Suggested ideas include: re-opening the pub with a new publican and undertaking some maintenance or renovating the building to offer one or other of a range of alternatives.

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Among these are a traditional family pub; a coffee shop with wi-fi access; an affordable family restaurant; bed-and-breakfast accommodation; apartments; offices; a crafts centre or an art gallery.

Vicki Averis, for Enterprise Inns, has said the company is “committed to the long-term future of the Bell”, but has made no promises concerning its redevelopment.

Mr Dellar said: “By working together as a community and communicating our views, we can encourage the owners to get it open again soon.

“That’s why we hope people will respond to our survey and say what they think.”

The deadline for the receipt of comments and survey forms is Tuesday, March 15.